Barbara Ruth Williams

Our beloved Barbara Ruth Williams, age 93, peacefully passed away in her home on June 16, 2023. She was a recent resident of Tampa, Florida and had previously lived in McKinney, Texas, for 22 years. Her loving husband of 69 years, Robert Thomas Williams Jr., and her eldest daughter and son were by her side.

Barbara was born on January 21, 1930, in Springfield, Massachusetts, to Ruth and Francis Hynes. She grew up and attended school in Greenfield, Massachusetts, attending her primary school years in a one room schoolhouse with lifelong friend, Lucy Stevens, eventually graduating from Greenfield High School. At the age of 17, after her father’s passing, Barbara made the courageous decision to become a nurse and enlisted in the Navy alongside her dear friend Betsy Moritz. She studied at Burbank Hospital School of Nursing and served in the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps. It was during this time that she met the love of her life, Robert Williams (Bob), who also served in the Navy. They fell in love and were married on February 13, 1954, at the Naval Base in Newport, Rhode Island. After their service in the Navy, Bob began a long career with Exxon Shipping, which took them to various locations across the United States, including New Jersey, Maryland, California, and Texas.

Barbara embraced her role as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She excelled as a homemaker and maintained a strong connection with her family & friends, even staying active on Facebook throughout her nineties. Family was always her priority and biggest joy. Barbara had a passion for travel, exploring different destinations around the world by car, cruise ship, or plane. She particularly enjoyed being near bodies of water, whether it was the ocean, lakes, rivers, or pools, and she always made sure to incorporate them into her travels. Alongside her love for travel, Barbara pursued various hobbies such as golf, bridge, water aerobics, and gardening, which she continued well into her eighties. Barbara and Bob were fortunate to enjoy good health and a long, happy retirement together.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Ruth White and Francis Hynes, as well as her son-in-law, Henry Colbert.

She is survived by her loving husband of 69 years, Robert Thomas Williams Jr., and their four children: Kathleen Colbert, Karen Castellanos (José), Thomas Williams (Natalie), and Michael Williams (Stacey). Barbara is also survived by her 13 grandchildren: Andrew Williams, Ryan VanOlst (Amber), Alec Williams, Taylor Williams, Daniel Castellanos, Robert Castellanos, Diana Castellanos, Erica Williams (Jacob), Lindsay Arellano (Isaac), Adam Williams (Debbie), Logan Williams, Megan Williams, Neal Berry (Melissa), as well as her four great-grandchildren: Nolan and Lincoln Berry, Isla Arellano, and Milo VanOlst.

Funeral services and a Mass of Christian burial in Barbara’s honor will be held on Friday, June 30, 2023, at 10am at Incarnation Catholic Church, 8220 W. Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, Florida 33615. The funeral arrangements are being handled by Blount & Curry Funeral Home, Oldsmar, Fl.

The family of Barbara Williams would like to express sincere gratitude to Nurses Donna and Hope, as well as all the staff at The Inn at Aston Garden, and Dr. Berland, MD.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Red Cross.